Siesta Key, FL – Iwo Jima Sand Sculpture

Sgt. Grit, A friend of mine was in Siesta Key from 11/11/11 thru 11/15/11.  The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce held their 2nd annual Crystal Classic Sand Sculpture competition.  This is but one of the sculptures that was of the only interest to me that I thought was worth sharing on your web site/newsletter, especially since it was the Corps birthday week.   Semper Fi. Sgt. E.E. Brown, U.S.M.C. 12/10/63 thru 06/13/68

Birthday Celebration 2011

I had the pleasure of attending the 236 Marine Corps Birthday celebration with my 91 year old father Warren White WWII veteran of Okinawa, Guadalcanal Guam and one of the first Americans to occupy Japan after the surrender. We were accompanied by fellow Marines Don James and Don Renwick. Along with 150 Marines a few members of the lesser branches of the military (just Kidding) we enjoyed the day with some touching ceremonies speeches a few lies and laughs at a celebration put on by James T Butler Tampa attorney and highly decorated helicopter pilot. Warren was once again honored to represent the old guard along with the youngest Marine in attendance in the cake cutting ceremony. My apologies to our youngest Marine I did not get his name. This is a high honor among Marines. Have a safe and healthy veterans day and thank you for those that did the heavy lifting when our country needed it the most. Special thoughts for those who have preceded us and safe harbor for those young men and women currently in harm’s way. read more

Funny story as a D.I.

As a Drill Instructor, our platoon had returned to the barracks from chow and they suddenly started requesting permission to make a head call. Not knowing the situation, (someone at the mess hall had put dirty socks in the soup and the recruits got the shits) I refused them. After they all started moaning I started to let them go but it was too late. They were shitting everywhere. They were in the back of their bunks using their wash buckets if they were lucky enough to make it in time. Most of them messed themselves. Needless to say, I felt bad for them afterwards, but now when I think of it, I can't help but laugh! Those poor bastard's must have really hated me then…   Another time was when the recruits were downstairs at the "Wash Rack". It was on a Sunday, around the 2nd phase, and while they were washing their clothes, I would walk around quitely. I would always cut them slack on Sunday, so they were more relaxed. As I was behind one recruit, he whispered to another, "I hope we don't have "fuckin Ferland" for duty tonight". I made a soft moan and he turned around. When he saw that I was staring straight at him, he turned real pale……..I didn't know if he was going to eat his skivies or put them on backwards. I stood behind him awhile longer, letting him grasp this situation. He thoutht he'd caught hell, but I simply walked away, letting him wonder when and if it would come back to haunt him. I did let it slide…….just watching his reaction was priceless to me!……    Sgt R.J. Ferland U.S.M.C. 65-72

Devil Dog Tattoo

well I'm very happy to see you finally got the 'Devil Dog' t-shirt… I couldn't send a pic of my tat til you did… I bought the t-shirt about 3yrs ago and swore the day I did that I would get that as a tattoo … well May of last year …on my birthday… I finally got started on it… n just about 2 1/2 weeks ago I got it finished… there is about 11 hrs of work into it… it's actually a cover up but my buddy Craig, at Crave Tattoo in Northwood, Ohio absolutely rocked it!!! you can make ur own decision … read more

Visit to MCRD San Diego

Sgt. Grit:   I was fortunate enough to be able to revisit MCRD San Diego last week while on business.  Although things have changed they still remain the same. Keep in mind I was in boot camp in 1969-70. Except for a few in the old 2nd Battalion area all of the old Quonset huts are gone. About a third of the parade deck is a parking lot but you can still hear a drill instructors voice from the far end. Most of the new buildings were constructed in the old Spanish style. The new barracks fit in nicely with the old pre WWII palisade.     The museum is nice but the old yellow footprints in the parking lot by the receiving barracks are gone.  The planes still take off from Lindberg field and yes they still drown out the Di’s.   The one thing that I did find odd was Starbucks.  Starbucks on the recruit depot?  Does Parris Island have a Starbucks? California Marines can truly be called “Hollywood Marines” now.     What ever happened to the old melt the spook black coffee the Di’s used to drink?   Sgt. Jim Grimes